The Bastards
Ch. 3
A few days later Mary and her ladies sat on a blanket down at the water's edge near a large willow tree. A tray of cherries sat in the middle of the blanket. "Alright, Kenna, it's your turn." Mary said where she sat between Maisie on her right and Kenna on her left. "Not your first, but your best kisser."
"It was a man, not a boy." Kenna answered with a shy smile on her lips.
"Who?" Mary asked. "You must tell us."
"All I'll say is that there's no point in waiting for boys our own age who have no idea what they're doing. Either find yourself a man or…take care of your needs yourself." Greer, Lola and Maisie giggled while poor Aylee looked horrified and Mary blushed. "Anyway, I think that it's Greer's turn isn't it?" Kenna asked.
"My first kiss…" Greer started to answer, then let out a breath and closed her eyes with a shake of her head, "is in the very near future." Kenna's shoulders dropped. "I'm not like you. My family's not titled. I can't afford even little mistakes." she said then paused while fiddling with the beads on her skirt. "But I think I found a man. He's tall, dark and noble. Tomas, the son of the king of Portugal. He's here negotiating some kind of trade deal, but he's taking his time and I think it's to stay with me."
"Greer, it's dangerous to get involved with a prince." Aylee pointed out. "You know they marry for alliances. Your family are commoners."
Lola noticed when Maisie gave Aylee a dirty look. She didn't have to point it out like that and be so discouraging. Greer just gave her a look that told her she had no option but to smile through comments like that. "Tomas is a king's bastard, like Bash." Greer pointed out. "Favored too, but with money and land. I'm not a fool. I know a true royal would never look at me except to ruin me." Lola and Kenna looked worried for her. "I can take care of myself." she assured them.
When Mary's servant rushed over they all looked at her. "Your Majesty, your uncle, Claude de Guise, is here and wishes to see you at once."
Mary and Aylee headed to the castle while the rest of the ladies stayed where they were. "What about you?" Greer asked with a look at Maisie. "Have you kissed someone yet?"
Maisie's cheeks reddened. "I have."
"Really?" Greer asked.
"Who?" Lola asked.
"Was it Keelan?" Greer asked.
"I thought he prefers men." Kenna pointed out.
"Actually my first kiss was Keelan." Maisie answered, finally able to get a word in. "Which is how we figured out he most definitely does prefer the company of men."
"I'm sure that made for a wonderful first kiss." Kenna said sarcastically.
"It wasn't that bad. He's actually a good kisser." Maisie rebutted. "We just didn't feel anything for one another."
"Then what was that blush about?" Lola asked with a suspicious narrow of her pretty eyes.
"You've kissed Bash haven't you?" Greer asked with a knowing smile. Maisie's reddening cheeks answered the question.
"Speaking of." Kenna said with a jerk of her head.
Maisie followed the direction of her nod to see Bash walking over.
"Good morning ladies." Bash greeted and they all greeted him back kindly before he turned his blue eyes to Maisie. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a ride. Hemera has been a bit dispirited here of late, and I believe it's because she's missing you."
Maisie gave him a smile. "I'd love to." She answered. "I'll meet you in the stables?" Bash gave her a nod and a closed lipped smile then walked off.
"Who's Hemera?" Lola asked.
"The horse Bash bought me." Maisie admitted timidly, not knowing what her friends would think of it.
"He bought you a horse?" Greer asked and Maisie nodded. "To say he's smitten would be an understatement." She said with a little laugh then looked at the sky, noticing the time. "Speaking of smitten, Tomas has asked me to take a walk with him this afternoon. I should go freshen up."
With that the ladies headed inside.
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to tend to her properly. Seems my uncle was right. Mary's been keeping us busy with this and that." Maisie told Bash as she took the saddle off her horse and handed it off to one of the stable hands.
"I knew when I bought her that your duties to Mary would come first." Bash replied doing the same. "The stable hands do most of the grunt work anyway." Bash watched as she ran her hand along the belly of her mare. The content look on her face as she concentrated on making sure the cinch hadn't rubbed any sores brought a smile to his lips. How she slid her hand down Hemera's leg, giving it a light tap that caused the horse to lift her foot so she could examine it.
"Would you mind handing me a pick?" Maisie asked with a point to the wall that held horse care tools. Bash grabbed a pick and handed it to her then watched as she cleaned the horse's foot not caring that there was all kinds of unmentionable gunk stuck in it.
"If I didn't know you find this calming I'd suggest letting the stable hands do it." Bash said as one of said stable hands came and took the lead rope of his horse.
"She's been favoring this leg." Maisie replied not looking up. "And I just want to know why." She said as she ran the pick along the grooves in the hoof. "Ah, there it is." with a grunt she hooked the pick under a rock that was stuck in a groove and popped it out. Bash walked over to the wall and grabbed a small brush. "Would you-?" Bush cut her off when the brush in his hand entered her line of sight. "Thank you." She said with a laugh as she glanced up at Bash.
He leaned on a post watching her clean the rest of Hemera's hooves. She was on the last one when she finally spoke again. "Sorry if I'm boring you."
"You're not." He replied. "Moments like this are what I hoped for when I purchased her for you." He pushed himself off the post as Maisie put Hemera's hoof down.
"You hoped to let me get all stinky and gunkey?" She asked as she handed him the tools that he held his hands out for then wiggled her dirty fingers at him.
"No. I hoped to get to watch you lose yourself in tedium." Bash answered as he put the tools away then walked back over to her. "You get so tranquil when you care for a horse."
"Kind of like you used to get when we star gazed as children." She pointed out as a stable hand took Hemera's lead rope. Maisie followed Bash when he jerked his head for her to. "Do you still find astrology fascinating?"
"Yes, however I've recently gotten caught up in Norse mythology." He answered as they walked around to the side of the stables where a wash basin sat.
"I wanted to study Norse mythology, but my aunt thought it an inappropriate subject for a lady such as myself." Maisie admitted then washed and dried her hands.
"Then how do you know Greek mythology?" Bash asked.
"I borrowed books from a friend and hid them in the barn." She answered.
Bash gave her a smile with a lift of his brows. "How naughty of you."
"Stop it." She told him with a blush and a pointed look.
"Well, perhaps we can study it together sometime." He offered as he held out his hand. "Unless you'd rather borrow my books and hide away in the stables to read them."
"I'd rather have your company." She said with a smile as she took his offered hand.
That night at a small party in the throne room, Greer, Lola, Aylee and Maisie sat at a table playing cards. Kenna was across the room chatting. "There's Tomas." Greer practically squealed with a point to a man with dark eyes and hair across the room.
"Oh he's handsome." Maisie said with a look of approval and a smile at Greer. Mary joined them looking a little tense. After Maisie had returned from the stables with Bash she learned that English troops had been massing on the borders of Scotland. Her country was in desperate need of soldiers and king Henry was refusing to hold up his end of the alliance.
"Nostradamus" The King spoke, stopping the music and the party as a whole. "Why don't you share your wisdom with all of us?"
"I don't understand." Nostradamus the court healer and Queen Catherine's seer replied, his voice low and raspy.
"You're always in my wife's ear. What do you whisper?" The king asked. "I hear emperor Maximilian has a seer in Prague who can tell fortunes using playing cards. Tell the fortunes of Queen Mary and her ladies."
Nostradamus kneeled at the steps leading up to the thrones. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'm not skilled at cards and I don't control my visions. They come and go as they will." He explained with a shrug.
"You're not as good as Maximilian's seer?" The king asked.
"Leave him alone, Henry." Queen Catherine snapped as she walked up the steps and sat on her throne.
"Oh come. The man must have something to recommend him. Since you reply so deeply on his council." The king replied.
Nostradamus walked over to the table Mary and her ladies sat at. "Each of you pick a card. Have your question ready." They all drew a card out of the stack in the center of the table.
He looked at Lola so she asked. "Will I ever love again?"
"You'll meet a dark handsome stranger. Be weary of flattery." He answered. Mary laid down her card and he looked at her. "Life will offer many challenges. You'll meet them with grace."
"Well that's not very specific." Henry spoke up. "Give us a fortune, not a platitude. Or is that the best you can do?"
As Nostradamus looked at Mary it seemed as if he was in a trance, like he was looking through her instead of at her. "The lion will fight the dragon on the field of poppies."
"What?" Mary asked.
"The lion will fight the dragon on the field of poppies." He repeated.
"Who will I-?" Greer started.
"You'll fall in love with a man with a white mark on his face." Nostradamus answered before she could even finish her question. Maisie had just laid down her card when he looked at her and said, "Your love will be taken from you." She couldn't keep her eyes from shooting across the room to Bash where he stood beside Francis.
"When will I see my family a-" Aylee started to ask as she laid down her card.
"You'll never go home." Nostradamus interrupted with the answer.
"What do you mean, never go home?" Aylee asked, looking shocked.
"That's all I was given. You know no more than I." Nostradamus answered. Aylee heaved out a shaky breath and Mary touched her hand to comfort her.
"Well, there's a showman for you." Henry said, looking bored.
"Musicians, dancing music. Enough of this foolishness." Catherine said with a wave of her hand to the musicians in the corner. They started playing as Mary stood and went after Nostradamus, surely to question him to no end.
Maisie was gathering the cards into a stack when Bash walked over. "Lady Maisie," she stopped her nervous fussing over the cards to look up at him, "join me for a dance?" She stood up and walked around the table taking Bash's hand. "You're worried." He observed as they started dancing.
"How can I not be when I was just told that my love would be taken from me?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
"Nostradamus is right more often than he's wrong." He said, making her stomach ache.
"You're not making me feel any better." She pointed out.
"Perhaps he simply misinterpreted what he saw." He said as he looped his arm around her stomach, holding her hip as they turned.
"How could that have possibly-" she was cut off when the music stopped and Tomas took Mary's hands from Francis. Bash pulled Maisie aside to stand with him against the wall. Francis joined them.
Interesting music started playing as Tomas and Mary danced. The more the music played and the more they danced the more sensual it all became. Maisie wasn't the only person in the room feeling and looking scandalized. When the dance was over a few people clapped. Bash looked over Maisie's head at Francis, "Why don't you dance like that?"
"Shut up." Francis told him, not taking his eyes off Mary.
"Why don't you?' Maisie asked with a look up at him through her lashes.
"Because when I touch you like that it's going to be done in private, or at least around a strategically chosen corner." He answered, making her blush.
"Well apparently they do things differently in Portugal." They heard Henry mutter.
"I love this Portuguese music. Keep playing!" Catherine told the musicians with a laugh.
Maisie's eyes landed on Greer, standing across the room with tears streaking her cheeks. "Greer…"
"What's wrong?" Bash asked.
"Greer fancies Tomas." She answered as she watched her leave the throne room, Mary not far behind her. "Or at least she did."
The next night Bash and Maisie lounged back on a large, plush bench seat on a balcony with no railing that overlooked the boating party. "Are you still worried about Nostradamus' prophecy?" Bash asked as he handed her the bottle of wine they were passing back and forth.
"That and the fact that your father has yet to even lift a finger to help my country." she answered.
"I tried talking to him, Francis has tried…he has no desire to risk our soldiers on what he calls quicksand." Bash replied.
"If that's the case then our days together are numbered." Maisie said with a deep crease in her brow.
"How so?" he asked, with a worried frown.
"Tomas' father is dying and wants him on the throne imminently. So, he is being declared legitimate and he asked Mary to wed him. If she says yes, he'll send troops to defend Scotland and I will be going to Portugal with Mary." She took a drink of the wine then handed him the bottle.
"Then perhaps I should ask you to marry me." he said, faking seriousness.
That was one of the things she liked about Bash, no matter how heavy the topic he could find a way to lighten it. She rolled her eyes. "I care for you deeply, but I don't think I'm ready to marry you yet."
He flashed her a bright charming smile. "If we kissed again you might change your mind."
She couldn't help the heat that rose to her cheeks nor could she keep the smile from her lips. "You're impossible."
"Yet you still like me." he said as he took a drink of the wine then handed her the bottle.
She made a face that told him he wasn't wrong as she leaned down and sat the bottle of wine on the floor then laid back on the bench propped up by some throw pillows and her forearm. When fireworks started exploding in the sky she looked out over the balcony watching as sparkling fountain fireworks went off on each side of the two big boats that were shoved off into the water. Sparkles also poured down like waterfalls from each of the arches across the lake.
Feeling his eyes on her she looked at him to see the most content, soft look on his face. A blush warmed her cheeks as she reached over and slipped the backs of her fingers over his stubbly cheek then down his neck to rest her hand on his chest. Unable to resist, Bash grabbed the back of her head and caught her top lip between his. She sighed through her nose at the sensations his kiss sent through every nerve ending in her body. It was so easy to get caught up in him, to play with him, to let her hands have a mind of their own.
He leaned forward, laying her back to hover over her from the side. She relished the feel of his hand as it slid down from her neck to caress the curves of her body as it made its way to her hip. Her hands pressed to his chest over the thin layer of his cream color shirt. One of them moved up to hold the side of his neck while the other slid down and around to press her palm into his lower back. She lost all track of time, completely immersed in him.
"Bash!" Francis's distant voice along with his hasty sounding footsteps pulled them back down to reality and caused Bash to break the kiss and look up. When he saw his brother headed their way he set up then offered her his hand which she accepted and let him help her sit up straight. "So sorry to interrupt, but you're our fastest rider and your services are needed immediately."
"Is something wrong?" Maisie asked, worried someone had once again attacked Mary.
"No. I convinced my father to send six companies of men to Scotland." Francis answered, then looked at Bash.
Bash looked at Maisie. "What are you looking at me for? Go." she urged him, happy that Mary wouldn't have to take Tomas up on his proposal. Bash grabbed her face and kissed her deeply before rushing off with Francis.
The next day, Maisie was headed to the stables when the whinny of a nearby horse caught her attention and she looked to see a dapple gray, its rider was hunched over on the horse's neck. "Bash." She gasped as she picked up her skirts and ran, along with a few others who had spotted him as well. A man pulled a passed out Bash from the horse and Maisie's eyes could only see the blood that coated his side. She numbly followed the people carrying him and only barely felt Mary's hand grab hers making her realize that she and Frances had joined them. Mary kept a hold of her hand as they watched Bash be laid on a bed in the infirmary.
Nostradamus lifted his shirt revealing a deep wound in his side as he looked up at Catherine, the same dazed look on his face as when he'd told their fortunes. "The cost of war will reach inside this castle." Catherine said with her hand on her chest.
Maisie was opening her mouth to say something when the king burst in. "How is he?" He asked Nostradamus.
"He's gravely injured. I can tend to his wounds and ease the pain, but I make no guarantees." Nostradamus answered.
"Father…" Bash whispered, making Maisie look at his face instead of the blood on his abdomen. Francis kneeled down by him to hear him better. "The English…rode out from Calais…to face us. We never made it to the ships…it was a slaughter." The pain in his voice along with the news he delivered caused Maisie's brow to crease as she placed her fingertips to her lips.
"He shouldn't be talking." Nostradamus spoke up. "I'll give him a potion to put him to sleep. Clear the room. It's the best thing for him."
"Bash, I'm so sorry." Francis told him as Nostradamus poured a small vial of liquid into Bash's mouth and he faded off to sleep.
"Come." The king said with a look around the room.
Maisie, in her shocked, numb state ignored him and took a step closer to Bash, getting Nostradamus's attention. "You told me my love would be taken from me. Is this what you meant?"
"I cannot say. Please, clear the room." Nostradamus answered.
Mary grabbed Maisie's hand and pulled her from the room. "Leave us." The king told them as they walked by him and they both gave him a nod.
As the days passed Maisie checked in on Bash as often as she could, but more often than not he was asleep. According to Nostradamus, rest was the best thing for him because if he was resting his body wouldn't have to work so hard to heal itself.
While Bash was busy healing, Mary was busy working with her uncle and King Henry on getting released from her engagement to Frances so she could marry Tomas who had sent his men to Scotland the morning after Mary agreed to wed him.
While the other ladies were at an archery competition between Francis and Tomas, Maisie went to Bash who was still under Nostradamus's care. "How is he?" Maisie asked as she walked into the room to see that Bash's eyes were closed and Nostradamus had his hand on Bash's forehead.
"The wound is closing. But the disease in his blood is spreading. If the fever doesn't break by tonight…" Nostradamus answered.
"He may die." Maisie replied, realizing what Nostradamus was implying.
"You're scaring her Nostradamus." Bash said, though his eyes were closed. "Where's your chivalry?" He opened his eyes giving Nostradamus a weak glare before he looked at Maisie.
"You're awake." she said, sounding a bit relieved as she took a step closer to stand beside Nostradamus. "How are you feeling?"
"Close to death, apparently." he answered, making Maisie cringe. "Which feels, more or less, like it sounds."
"You need rest, Sebastian." Nostradamus cautioned him.
"What I need is water." Bash argued and Nostradamus headed across the room. "And perhaps…" he looked at Maisie, seeing her concern written all over her face, "a little bit more of those lovely brown eyes." Maisie gave him a weak smile then grabbed the chair Nostradamus had been sitting in when she'd come in, moving it a bit closer before she set down. When she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye she turned to see that Nostradamus held a cup of water. So she took it and helped Bash take a drink then set it on the table at the head of the bed. "So will you stay?" he asked. "I've heard you checking up on me, but you never linger."
Her eyes watered before she dropped them to her hands in her lap. "Of course I'll stay."
"Why haven't you before?" Bash asked quietly.
"Because I know you need rest if you're to get better and you can't rest if I linger." she answered, still not looking at him.
"I'm terribly sorry, but she's right. This isn't helping you rest." Nostradamus told him.
"Every time I look at her, I feel better. Every time I look at you, I feel worse." Bash snapped at Nostradamus. "The prescription is clear, don't you think?" Maisie kept her eyes down as Nostradamus gave Bash a nod and left the room. "Look at me, please." Bash asked quietly and Maisie finally lifted her eyes, letting him see the tear that had betrayed her and slipped down her cheek. "I'm not dead yet."
"Bash…" she sighed and dropped her head.
"I'm not," he argued, "and until I am, be it a few days or forty years, I want to see you as often as your duties to Mary will allow." Maisie sniffled and looked up at him. "Now, tell me the true reason you haven't stayed with me."
"I'm scared." she answered quietly. "Maybe if Nostradamus hadn't told me you'd be taken from me it would be easier to have hope, but…it feels as if the fates are pulling us apart." she used her hands to wipe her face then wiped them on her skirts, not caring if they got a little wet.
"What do you mean?" he asked, Nostradamus had been keeping him asleep with potions which made him too groggy to remember anything told to him when he was awake.
"Mary accepted Tomas's proposal. When your father releases her from her engagement to Francis, I'll have to move to portugal." she answered grimly. "Death knocks at your door while relocation knocks at mine." The disappointed look on his face made her reach out and brush his sweaty hair back off his forehead. "Good lord, you're burning up." she gasped as she placed her hand on his hot cheek. His eyes slipped closed as he reveled in her comforting touch.
"If I don't make it out of this infirmary by the time you have to leave for Portugal or if death takes me from you, I want you to do something for me." he told her, not opening his eyes.
"Anything." she replied as she grabbed a cloth off of the table and started dabbing his face, keeping sweat from getting in his eyes.
"In my chambers, on a bookshelf is a little carved wooden box. It and its contents are yours." His words brought a new wave of tears to her eyes.
Maisie squeezed her eyes shut and blew a calming breath between her shaking lips. "Okay. If that happens I'll take the box." she agreed then opened her eyes. Bash saw a new determination in them. "But it's not going to happen."
"No?" he asked with a tired smirk as she took the cloth from his face. "You control fate now do you?"
"No, but I will try my best to because I refuse to let you go." she tossed the rag on the table and if Bash could laugh without hurting he would have. "So, you're going to drink some water to replenish what you're sweating out and get some sleep if I have to lull you into it myself." she told him as she grabbed the cup and offered him some water.
Knowing better than to argue with her he took a drink. "You're not going to sing to me are you?" he asked.
"I said I'd lull you to sleep, not attempt to wake the dead." she answered.
He laughed without thinking then groaned in pain. "Oh, don't make me laugh." She just grabbed the book on Norse Mythology off the table and showed it to him. He smiled as he watched her open the book to the marked page and start reading. Deciding that he really could use the rest he closed his eyes and let her voice ease him into sleep.
Maisie stood with her friends as Mary stood in front of the king and queen in the throne room. "And how may I help France, Your Majesty?" Mary asked.
"These English, we keep them at court to keep peace, but it appears they don't want peace." The king replied.
"Their envoy, Simon, was overheard boasting in a local tavern about his role in the ambush. How he warned his countryman of our soldiers' movements." Queen Catherine added.
"The trouble is, to condemn a diplomat, we need testimony no nation can question. A witness whose word is unassailable." King Henry continued.
"Instead, we have her." Catherine said with a motion to the back of the room. Everyone followed the motion to a blond woman in a bright red dress with heavily applied rouge on her cheeks and a nervous look on her face.
Frances walked over to Mary. "She's a prostitute, Mary. But a very brave woman." he whispered, but with the throne room so quiet everyone could hear. "She came here at great risk to aid The King's justice."
Mary looked at King Henry. "You want me to put my name to her words?"
The king and queen said nothing so Francis answered for them. "If you don't, a murderer goes free. A man who put my brother at death's door."
Mary walked over to the prostitute. "What is your name?"
"Judith." the woman answered. "Uh, milady." she added, giving Mary an awkward curtsy.
"And you saw Simon with your own eyes, Judith?" Mary asked.
"Yeah." Judith answered. "And I heard them call him by name, too. He had a…a fine face and posh clothes, and that medallion around his neck. The one with the sun's rays."
"The Royal English seal." Mary nodded. "And you know that this seal means he is a very powerful man and that he can hurt you, but you came forward anyway. Why?"
"I heard how that Englishman talked. He's a heartless man, playing games with other men's lives." Judith answered.
Mary gave her a nod then spoke loudly to the king and queen across the room. "If I sign my name to her statement, will you release me from my engagement to Francis?" Francis looked at his father who gave him a nod, so Francis looked at Mary and gave her a nod. "Very well then." Mary said, looking numb.
"Notify the executioner." King Henry spoke. "The English spy will lose his head at the Michaelmas banquet.
After everyone was released from the throne room Maisie, Aylee, Lola, Greer and Kenna found Mary in her room. "The engagement's been official for less than an hour and you're already packing." Greer observed.
"I have no choice. I'm going to Portugal in two days, right after the Michaelmas banquet." Mary answered as she folded a dress and put it into a trunk.
"You're leaving?" Aylee asked. "What about us, you don't want us to come with you?"
"Of course I do, more than anything. But you do have a choice. I can't ask you to come with me when none of you expected to live in Portugal." Mary answered and Maisie felt a confusing pull in her chest toward both Mary, who'd she'd been raised to stand beside, and Bash, the man her heart clung so strongly to. "You all moved from Scotland to be here in France."
"No, Mary, we left to be with you." Lola argued.
"So you'll come with me?" Mary asked with a hopeful smile.
"Of course we will." they all replied. All but Maisie and Mary noticed.
"Maisie, I mean it. I know you care for Bash. I won't be angry if you want to stay." Mary told her and Maisie dropped her eyes. "I won't press you for an answer."
"I just wish we could all stay…that you could stay and marry the man you love." Maisie answered quietly. "You deserve that much."
"I'm afraid queens don't have that luxury." Mary sighed and sat down on the bench behind her.
Maisie went to the infirmary and found Francis with Bash. "My apologies." Maisie told him and took a step back.
"You don't have to go." Francis said, so she stepped back inside and shut the door behind her before walking over to stand at Bash's feet. "Nostradamus gave him a potion, so he'll be out for a while." knowing he wouldn't wake if she touched him she sat down in the chair and gently held his hand that was hot to the touch. "He loves you, you know." Francis said as he moved around to stand on the opposite side of the bed across from her.
After a moment Maisie looked up at him. "I think it's highly possible that I love him too." she dropped her eyes back to Bash's relaxed face. "Though I'm not sure if that matters now that I'm leaving."
"You could stay." Francis offered, making her look up at him. "That is if Mary would release you."
"You and Mary say that as if it is such an easy decision to make." Maisie sighed.
"Is it not?" Francis asked.
"For as long as I can remember I was told my fate would be to remain at Mary's side. My duty is to her and my country." she answered as she looked back down at Bash. "Now I'm told that I can choose my fate, Bash or my queen and my country. It feels as if my heart is being torn in two."
"Trust me, I know the feeling." Francis said and she looked up at him, knowing that he'd been torn between Mary and his country several times already. "I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you that while other women may have occupied his bed, they never touched his heart. That special place has always been reserved for you, awaiting your return. And not patiently, I might add." Francis added with a pointed look at his sleeping brother, making Maisie laugh sadly before she wiped the tears that had started slipping down her cheeks at some point. Francis left her to think and be with Bash.
By the time she'd settled on a decision the sun had almost set. Ready to tell Mary, she headed to her chambers. She ended up running into her and Aylee as they were also on their way to her chambers. "Maisie, how is Bash? I assume you've been with him." Mary asked.
"That's what I was coming to talk to you about. I've made my decision." Maisie said as they walked into her room only to see Tomas and one of his men.
"Tomas?" Mary asked, shocked to find him in her chambers.
"Forgive me Mary. I needed to see you, and I couldn't wait for formalities." Tomas said as he turned from an open box on the table he stood next to. "I would like to discuss some…rules, and your ladies should hear them too." Tomas said with a motion to Aylee and Maisie.
"Rules?" Mary asked, clearly off put.
"Rules you will live by in Portugal." Tomas answered. "You seem to believe that until you're married to me you're somehow free. If so, you're mistaken." Maisie's heart sank down to the pit of her stomach.
"My Lord, I don't know if I like your tone." Mary replied.
"Do you have whipping boys in Scotland?" Tomas asked.
"Whipping boys?" Mary asked, a bit shocked. "Well, s-some use them, but-"
"Good. Miguel is now your whipping boy." Tomas interrupted then turned and slapped the man behind him across the face, causing the three women to flench. Tomas looked back at Mary. "That is for the offense of questioning me."
"Tomas, please…"
Tomas turned and struck Miguel again then looked back at Mary. "That is for interrupting me." Mary remained quiet as Aylee covered her mouth with her hand and Maisie placed her hand over her upset stomach. "Much better. You're bound by a treaty agreed by your betters: Your uncle, myself and King Henry. And if you're not impressed by the treaty, maybe you will be by this: My ships made your country safe, but…" he grabbed a glass out of the open box on the table and held it out in front of him, "I can remove them as easily as this." He dropped the glass, shattering it over the floor. "Whatever freedoms of actions or thoughts you were given by Francis, forget them. When I am King, I will rule like most kings: What belongs to my queen belongs to me." Maisie didn't miss when his eyes slipped over to Aylee then her before he looked back at Mary. "For Miguel's sake, I hope we're clear. Are we?"
"Yes, my lord. Quite clear." Mary answered.
Tomas and Miguel left the room. "You can't marry him. I beg of you." Aylee pleaded as Mary walked over to the box and closed it.
"Aylee you heard him." Mary said, turning from the box to her.
"But you're a queen. There must be some other way." Aylee said with a shake of her head.
"If there was any other option don't you think I would take it?" Mary asked, holding back tears of her own. "I have to marry Tomas, no matter who he is, no matter my feelings…because I am a queen. I have no other option." Mary pushed back her tears. "But I remind you that you do. Maisie?" Mary asked, getting her attention where she stood, staring off into the distance in thought. Maisie looked at her. "You said you'd made a decision?"
"I had, but now I'm reconsidering." Maisie answered.
"You'd decided to come with me?" Mary asked, her tense tone lifting a bit, pleased that Maisie had chosen to remain at her side.
"Actually I'd decided to stay with Bash, but…after that scene I feel I must come with you." Maisie answered, still sick to her stomach. "If you have to marry him then you will need all the protection you can get." she walked over and grabbed Mary's hand. "I won't abandon you…I can't." Mary pulled Maisie in for a hug then held her arm out for Aylee and she joined them.
The next morning Maisie went to Bash and found Francis with him while Nostradamus piddled at his table. "I seem to keep interrupting your time with him." Maisie said and Francis jerked his head for her to join them.
"It's a highly welcomed interruption." Bash said then opened his eyes to look at her.
Nostradamus walked over and sat down in the chair while Maisie moved to stand at Bash's feet. Nostradamus placed his hand on Bash's forehead then looked at Francis. "Good news. The fever's broken."
"Thank god." Francis and Maisie sighed.
"Good, so I can get out-" Bash started to get up, but was cut off by a grunt of pain.
"I wouldn't recommend it." Nostradamus told him as he helped him lay back down. "You're going to live if you don't tear your wound open. If you keep resting, if you take proper care."
"If I have to spend one more minute in this bed," Bash started.
"I'm going to make us both feel better…and leave." Nostradamus told him then stood and gave Maisie a soft smile on his way out.
Francis took Nostradamus's place in the chair. "Should I leave too?" Maisie asked.
"If you do, I might take a turn for the worse." Bash answered before Francis could.
"Don't joke about that." Maisie scolded him, feeling a stab in her chest, remembering that she was going to be leaving him in a day's time.
"You heard the man." Francis said letting her know she could stay so she grabbed a chair and moved to sit on the other side of Bash, across from Francis who handed him the cup he'd been holding in his hand.
Bash took it and looked inside. "You promised you'd sneak me some wine, you liar." Bash complained, making Francis laugh, then took a drink of whatever was in the cup. "You look worse than I do, both of you." he said with a look between his brother and Maisie. "It's Tomas, isn't it? I've heard about your…inquiries." He asked his brother then looked at Maisie and grabbed her hand.
"I don't have any proof yet, but everything in me says that he's a monster." Francis answered, getting Bash's attention. "There are whispers in court that he murdered his first wife."
"I'd believe it." Maisie spoke up and both of the men looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Francis asked before Bash could.
"Mary didn't tell you, did she?" she asked and he shook his head. "Of course she didn't. It would defy him and break his rules."
"Rules?" Bash asked with a frown.
"He assigned her a whipping boy and rules to live by in Portugal. He sees her as nothing more than a means to an end and honestly I fear that once we're in Portugal and they are wed that he'll take what's hers, what he already sees as his, and do away with her all together." Maisie answered as her hand found it's way back to her stomach. "Just the thought of how dead his eyes looked when speaking to her makes me ill."
Bash gave her hand a squeeze then looked at his brother. "If they couldn't find proof in Portugal how will you find any here?"
"I don't know yet…but I have to try." Francis answered. "I can't let Mary-"
"Oh, but you can…" Tomas interrupted as he walked through the door that Nostradamus had left open. "And you must. You've been asking questions about me." he said as he came to a stop with his hands tucked behind his back. Bash started sitting up and Maisie helped knowing it would be useless to try to stop him. "Did you think I wouldn't know?"
"No." Francis answered, mirroring Tomas's stance. "I hoped you would."
"Why?" Tomas asked.
"Because your future wife is a friend of France." Francis answered. "Her well-being concerns this country, and always will."
"Is that a threat?" Tomas asked. "If anything happens to Mary, you'll…what?"
Bash started to stand, but Maisie saw the fresh blood on the binding over his wound. "Bash, please?" Maisie asked but he ignored her and stood up straight.
"I would hope we won't have to find out." Francis answered. "Wouldn't you, as her fiancé?"
"If something happens to her it will be up to me." Tomas snapped. "She is my property now, not yours. No matter how many touches you steal you'll never be more than the powerless princeling who couldn't even send a few men to defend her country."
Francis raised his fist to punch Tomas. "Francis, no." Bash said as he pulled his brother back then groaned in pain from the exertion. Maisie and Francis caught him before he fell and helped him sit down.
"And you." Tomas said and they all looked up to see that he was talking to Maisie where she stood beside Bash. "You heard me tell Mary what belongs to her belongs to me. In case I wasn't clear, that includes you. Romances like this," he motioned between her and Bash, "will not occur when you are under my rule in my kingdom. Your king and queen will be your only priority, that is unless you want to pay for it in blood."
Bash wrapped his arm around her hips and pulled her close. "Fortunately nothing is set in stone and I am not under your rule. So I am perfectly free to tell you to go rot in whatever hell you spawned from." Maisie told him through a sneer.
Tomas just gave her a smirk then left the room. As soon as he was out of the room Maisie sank down to sit in the chair across from Bash and Francis, who sat on the bed with his brother. "Go ahead, say it. I'm not thinking with my head."
"Head, heart, who cares?" Bash asked in a huff. "He is a monster, no matter what the pope chooses to call him, and if you won't kill him," Bash turned his eyes to Maisie, "I will."
"Bash, your wound." Maisie said, seeing his bandage soaked through with bright red, fresh blood that seeped into his white shirt that was open, save some tie strings at his neck.
"I'll fetch Nostradamus." Francis said as he stood and left.
"You really should lay down." Maisie told him and stood to help him.
"I'm sick of lying down." he argued. "Sit with me." The worry in his blue eyes, the frown in his brow made her sink down beside him. "Francis tells me Mary has offered to let you stay if she has to move to Portugal."
"She has." Maisie whispered, dropping her eyes to her hands in her lap.
"And?" he asked, eager to know if she'd choose him.
Maisie on the other hand felt her heart breaking. "I can't…" she said as tears slipped down her cheeks. The disappointed sigh that slipped from his lips only shoved the invisible knife further into her chest. "I can't stay here knowing that Mary, my queen…my friend, is living under that monstrous tyrant's thumb while I live happily by your side. She's going to need me."
"And you expect me to stay here, knowing that you are also under his evil thumb?" Bash argued as he lifted her head and made her look at him. "You heard him he will also consider you his property to do with as he pleases. Just the thought of what he could do to you…" he cut himself off not daring to voice the thoughts. "I am begging you, please, stay with me."
Someone cleared their throat and they looked over to see Nostradamus, Mary and Francis walking into the room. "Maisie, a word, please?" Mary asked so she left Bash's side to follow Mary out into the hall while Nostradamus tended to Bash's wound. Only when the doors were shut did Maisie turn her eyes to Mary. "Stay."
"What?" Maisie asked, shocked.
"I'm not asking. As our queen I am releasing you from your service to me, right after the Michaelmas banquet." Mary told her, looking sad, but strong.
"But I chose to come with you." Maisie argued.
"And I believe you chose wrong." Mary replied. "The relief on your face right now tells me you know that now as well."
"I do." Maisie sighed. "But, Mary, you-"
"I'll be fine." Mary interrupted her. "I'll have Aylee, Greer, Lola and Kenna. And I'll write often."
"Your letters will be burned long before they make it to me." Maisie argued.
"Maisie…" Mary sighed scoldingly.
"There's no point in arguing with you is there?" Maisie asked.
"No, there's not." Mary answered with an amused half smirk.
"Fine." Maisie said, dropping her arms that had been crossed over her chest.
"Come." Mary told her as she headed back to the infirmary. When they walked in, Nostradamus was wrapping a new binding around Bash's torso. "How is he?"
"The wound has reopened, but it's not severe." Nostradamus replied in his raspy voice then looked at Maisie. "He must remain laying still."
"Tell him that." Maisie said with a motion to Bash who smirked at her.
"I have." Nostradamus replied. "But considering he's requested you remain at his side until the banquet, you must know his care instructions as well."
Maisie looked at Bash, then Francis then Mary. "It's fine by me." Mary told her.
After Nostradamus finished tending to Bash, he, Mary and Francis left them alone. "You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to see me as often as Mary would allow." Maisie said as she sat down in the chair.
"Are you going to tell me what Mary pulled you away for?" Bash asked, ignoring her attempt at avoiding all talk of staying or going.
She took a deep breath and let it out. "After the Michaelmas banquet-"
"You'll leave for Portugal, I know." he interrupted and turned his eyes to the ceiling, pouting. "I thought it may have been new information."
"Yeah that's…not what she had to say." Maisie replied, making him look at her. "After the banquet, she's releasing me from my service to her. I'm staying in France. As what? She didn't say, but…I'm sure Francis will figure something out just like I'm sure he had something to do with her taking away my choice in the matter. Not that I'm all that upset about it, honestly."
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear anything past 'I'm staying in France'." Bash said with tears in his eyes. She laughed as she leaned down and caught his bottom lip between hers for a short, but still passionate kiss before it broke and she rested her forehead on his. "I have missed that." he sighed as he threaded his fingers into her loose auburn waves.
The next afternoon Maisie stood with Mary and the rest of her friends, going through a trunk of costumes for the Michaelmas banquet. "Well I would never know there was a costume banquet in an hour from the faces I see." Mary said as she took a string of beads off of the tip of a toy sword.
"How can you be so cheerful knowing how soon we're leaving?" Lola asked.
"Should I spend my last hours in France, with all of my friends, with moping and tears?" Mary asked back.
"Don't forget pining and regret." Kenna added as they resumed digging in the trunks.
After a moment of thought Greer added. "Mary's right. What's the matter with us? Why wallow in misery if we have a choice?" she asked as she put a few things back into the trunk. "Why not use the hours we have left to seize some pleasure while we still can?"
"Yes, some pleasure." Kenna agreed while holding up her dress of choice. "Or perhaps some spite."
"Oh, a lovely wood sprite." Greer said with a smile.
"France will never forget you." Mary told her.
"I hope they won't." Kenna said as she took her dress then headed off to her chambers to change.
"You want to dress up in a footman's livery?" Aylee asked Greer who held up said costume and mask.
"Yes, why not?" Greer asked and the girls laughed. "But in case I change my mind, I'll take both." Greer said as she picked up another costume and walked off.
After a while Aylee, Mary and Maisie found costumes and disappeared to their rooms to change. After she dressed she hunted down Bash, eager to show him what she'd chosen. She found him outside, swinging his sword around, just happy to be out of bed. "I wondered where you disappeared to." she said, getting his attention.
Bash laughed when he saw her, dressed in a simple cream dress with a square neckline and flowing sleeves trimmed in gold. A matching gold belt was around her curvy hips and hung down the front of the dress. The circlet that sat atop her head was adorned with a golden angel wing on each side at her temples. A gold tipped spear was in her hand. "I recognize you." Bash said with a smile. "I met you in a dream I had about Norse gods and goddesses from that book we read." Maisie gave him a smile. "Freyja is a fitting choice."
Maisie wrinkled her nose. "Wasn't she the god of fertility?"
Bash laughed. "Yes, but she was also known for her beauty." Bash reminded her. "Did you learn nothing from that book?"
"I…find it hard to retain information if I have to read it out loud." she answered, looking a little ashamed of herself. "I actually chose her because she was the only goddess I could recall having red hair. The fact that she often chose to appear naked to her followers also managed to stick in my mind." Bash just smiled and looked her up and down. "And now you're imagining me naked."
"Not entirely." he answered. "The belt, headpiece and spear are still there."
Maisie blushed and laughed. "If I shed the dress and go to the banquet like that will you attend with me?"
Bash chuckled at her. "That is tempting, but perhaps we should save that particular costume for a much later occasion." She gave him a look that told him to answer the question. "After tonight, your friends will leave and I'll have you all to myself." Bash started. "I want you to take full advantage of your last hours with them without me around capturing your attention."
"Fine." she sighed then looked around before she stood on her toes and captured his lips with hers.
"Now I'm the one interrupting." Maisie dropped down onto flat feet and turned to see Francis.
"Ah, St. Michael." Bash said as Maisie moved around to stand beside him. "That better be a real sword if you're to slay Lucifer."
"You had to bring up Tomas." Francis sighed.
"You know, I don't understand why he changed so quickly. He seemed so nice at first, charming even." Maisie said with a frown, hating that Mary was having to wed a man like him.
"He was desperate." Francis answered. "He'd been looking for a queen all over the continent. No doubt to make sure the Pope declared him legitimate. Of course he'd put on an act if it got him what he wanted."
"Well, he got bloody lucky didn't he?" Bash asked. "If I hadn't been ambushed getting those men off to Scotland, Mary wouldn't be marrying him."
"Say that again." Francis told Bash.
Maisie's eyes went wide. "It's been staring us in the face this entire time."
"If our men hadn't been ambushed then Mary wouldn't need his men. Or his marriage proposal." Francis said, spelling it out.
"Simon is innocent." Maisie said in a rush. "Do you think we can get proof before his head comes off tonight at the banquet?"
"I don't know." Francis answered. "But we're gonna try."
"I'll go find Miguel, Mary's assigned whipping boy. He hates Tomas. I'm positive he'll help if you offer him your protection." Maisie offered and Francis gave her a nod.
Maisie met back up with Bash and Francis outside, out of breath from running. "Miguel's not in his chambers, but a footman said he saw him leaving with Tomas. They were headed for the game trails."
"Hunting…now?" Bash asked.
"I fear Tomas wants to kill him before he can rat him out." Maisie answered.
"We must stop him before he can." Francis said then took off towards the stables and Bash after him.
Maisie stood with Lola, Aylee, Greer and Kenna anxiously awaiting the return of Bash and Francis as well as Mary who'd gone after the prostitute who's testimony Mary signed her name to. "What's going on?" Aylee asked when three guards were led into the room where Simon sat shackled to a chair, awaiting his fate.
"It's time for Simon's head to come off." Lola answered.
"Where's Mary?" Aylee asked with a look around.
"And Francis and Bash." Maisie added, worried that something bad had happened to them.
"They're going to be too late." Keena pointed out as they watched the guards walk past them.
The executioner was raising his ax when Francis's voice hit their ears. "Make way!" Everyone turned to see him and Bash along with Miguel, leaning on Bash who held his side. "This is your spy!" two guards threw a lifeless Tomas to the ground causing the party guests to gasp. "We have witnesses."
"Two of them." Mary added as she and the prostitute walked into the room behind Francis and Bash.
Later that night, Maisie, Aylee, Lola, Greer, and Kenna stood beside Mary in the throne room where Simon stood in front of the King and Queen. "Lord Westbrook, are you pleased that England has made you their new envoy to Portugal?" King Henry asked.
"With respect, I'm pleased to be leaving here alive, your Majesty." Simon answered.
"Please thank Portugal's king for the sacrifice of his son, Tomas, who gave his life to protect our son from a stag's horns while hunting." Catherine told Simon.
"As to the vile rumors that Tomas plotted against France, tell the king we will ignore them if he will accept our sentiments." Henry added.
"Since Portugal's king had no knowledge of any plot, I'm confident he will accept." Simon replied. "The matter will be forgotten by all of us. And history, too, no doubt." Simon gave the king and queen a bow then turned as Mary started to walk up to the thrones. "You surprise me, Your majesty." Simon told Mary, stopping her. "Most royals won't admit a mistake, let alone save a man's life to fix it."
"Well, I hope saving your life wasn't my second mistake." Mary answered. Simon gave her a smirk and a nod before he left the room and Mary continued to the king and queen, giving them a bow.
"Mary, Queen of Scots, France is pleased to reinstate our marriage treaty with your country." Henry started. "As soon as negotiations-"
"Thank you, Your Grace." Mary interrupted him. "Scotland is pleased as well. Especially since, this time, you and my uncle will be allowing me to guide negotiations."
Maisie bit her lips closed with a smile as she looked at the king and Mary's uncle then Bash who looked impressed. The room filled with hushed chatter. "Oh, for god's sake." Catherine scoffed.
"Mary I don't think tha-" Henry started, but was once again interrupted by Mary.
"In view of the role Scotland played in resolving your troubles with Portugal, and preventing the wrongful execution of a diplomat, we not only staved off war with England, but also spared our ally France considerable embarrassment." Mary said, getting an agitated glare from the king and queen. "Which is why I am sure you will want to improve the terms, committing enough strength to keep your ally safe against England."
"Yes. Of course." Henry answered flatly. Mary gave him a nod. "Let's continue, as to the matters of lands for your dowry there is Scottish crown property which…" Mary held out her hand for the papers her uncle held and when he went to bring them to her Greer took them out of his hand and joined Mary at her side.
Later that night Mary and her ladies lounged around in her quarters. "Well done, Mary." Lola said with a small smile. "You got practically everything Scotland wanted. Soldiers and ships and armaments."
"Well, they got a few things too." Mary pointed out. "Our best timber, some farmlands. But give us a few days and we will have a far better treaty than before."
"And is it safe to assume that I'm still one of your ladies?" Maisie asked.
"Of course." Mary answered.
When a knock came from the door they all looked to see Francis step in. "Am I interrupting?" All of Mary's ladies gave her knowing smirks. "Lady Maisie." Francis said, making her look at him with raised brows. "Bash has asked me to inform you that he is waiting for you in the garden." As Maisie stood the girls all ooed and made kissy noises.
This time when Maisie met him there was no blanket, no bottle of wine or lantern. Just Bash sitting on the stone backless bench in the center of the circle of tall gardenia bushes. "Is everything okay?" She asked as she walked over and sat down beside him, feeling a heaviness in the air even though he hadn't said anything.
"I just wanted to talk with you, now that things are a bit more settled." He answered yet it somehow didn't make her any less uneasy.
"Before this goes any further, and to possibly save us both some breath, I'm just going to ask: Is this one of those conversations that start with 'we need to talk' and ends with two broken hearts?" She asked, feeling as if she were holding a breath that she couldn't let out.
"I'm afraid that my heart, while not completely broken, has already been cracked." Bash answered. Maisie flinched as her eyes slipped shut, knowing it was her decision to go with Mary that had hurt him. "And that reaction to my saying so makes me wonder if it's guilt or regret that you feel."
"It wasn't…" knowing it aggravated him when she didn't look at him she made herself open her eyes and looked into his, "a lack of love that made me choose to go."
"Is your sense of duty really so strong?" He asked stiffly.
"Yes." Maisie answered. "Or at least I thought it was…until Mary released me and wiped it from the slate completely. I instantly regretted my decision." She lifted her hand and placed it gently over his heart. He simply looked down at it then back into her deep brown eyes. "Because I realized I love you, Bash, more than I ever thought possible. More than Mary or my country or my sense of responsibility for either. It's insane really. We had three years together as children, spent nine years apart, yet somehow you're still burrowed into my heart and I can't-"
She was cut off when he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in for a deep, hard kiss that didn't last long before he broke it and pulled back, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I love you too."
She took his hand off her cheek and ran her thumb over the scar before she pressed her palm to his. "Without each other we are but two half empty vessels." She said, quoting what he'd said when they performed the ritual as children. "That is what you said, right?"
Bash smiled as he threaded their fingers together. "Yes, however I had no idea how incredibly true it would become." He pulled her in for another kiss. After a while he let go of her hand and grabbed her hips, attempting to pull her closer, but ended up groaning in pain and breaking the kiss.
"Well, your side clearly still pains you." She said as he sighed in aggravation. "Does your heart?" She asked, scooting closer to him.
"No. It's all better now." He answered with a shake of his head.
"Good." She said with a smile and a glance down at his lips. Following her signal he leaned in and caught her top lip between his.
A/N: Hello, I hope everyone is enjoying this story. I'd just like to remind you all that reviews, favorites and follows mean the world to me and are highly appreciated.